"We have focused on organizing national MTQ events, but now, we are starting to hold similar events at the international level," Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar said while opening the competition in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He highlighted that people around the world have shown great interest in participating in the contest, noting that contestants from as many as 187 countries took part in the online pre-qualification stage held in 2023.
Among the 60 participants who qualified for the semi-finals in Jakarta are contestants from the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Italy, and Canada.
Several African countries, including Egypt, Libya, Tanzania, Mauritania, Guinea, Kenya, Central Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Somalia, Chad, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique, have also sent their representatives.
Additionally, participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Iran, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Türkiye, Yemen, and Palestine are also taking part in the competition.
Umar said that, in addition to Quran recitation, the event also features a Quran memorization competition, discussions, exhibitions, and workshops.
"We also offer cultural introduction activities and a city tour, considering that the participants are our guests from other countries, most of whom may have never visited Indonesia before. We will guide them to several special points of interest," he informed.
The minister then said that the international MTQ competition is themed "Quran, Environment, and Humanity for Global Harmony."
"This theme challenges us to prove that the Quran is one of the holy books that emphasizes the utmost importance of environmental preservation," he added.
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Translator: Asep F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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